Loose-leaf binder



T. R. SMITH LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Nov. 21, 1961 Filed June 2, 1959 27 9b fa 5 176/5 j jy INVENTOR Unite ttes arent ice 3,069,465 LOSE-LEAF BINDER Thomas R. Smith, Dighton, Mass., assigner to The Binder Corporation of America, Taunton, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed lune 2, 1959, Ser. No. 817,616 9 Claims. (Cl. 129-1) This invention relates to loose-leaf binders and more particularly to a novel front cover construction and novel protective closure for the binder.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel binder having a transparent front cover in which the fastening means for the binder are concealed without interfering with the functioning thereof so as to provide a better appearing article.

Another object of the invention is to provide a binder having a protective closure built therein which can be used as a mailing enclosure or for other protective means and which may be readily removed if desired.

A feature of the invention resides in the formation of the transparent cover by providing upper and lower transparent portions between which a brochure, title page or other decorative sheet may be inserted and protected by the cover material.

Another feature of the invention resides in the novel back strip which can be readily assembled with the cover to receive the fastening means, which fastening means have an enlarged portion which is covered by a portion of the back strip so as to be concealed thereby.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l shows a view of the binder with the cover side up.

FIG. 2 is a view of the binder in open position.

FIG. 3 is a view of the binder taken along lines 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view of the binder having the protective cover thereon in closed position.

FIG. 5 is a view of the binder with the protective closure in open position.

FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.

As shown in the drawings, the front cover for the binder comprises a plastic, and preferably transparent, sheet 10 having an edge folded back upon itself to provide a ap 11. While a single sheet of transparent material may be used, it is at present preferred to use a double cover having upper and lower portions. In the illustrated form of the invention the front cover comprises an elongate sheet of material which is folded at 12 so as to provide upper and lower portions 13, 14 in superposed relation, with the lower portion having a part 14a extending beyond the edge of the upper portion and folded back so as to form flap 11 overlying the edge of the upper portion 13 and form a binding portion or edge for the cover. A title sheet, brochure, or the like 15, as shown in FIG. 3, can be disposed between the upper and lower portions of the front cover and the edge of the sheet 15 can extend into the binding zone if desired.

IA back or cover strip 16 which may be of transparent or opaque material, such as paper, plastic or the like, is provided with at least two longitudinal fold lines so as to vprovide three longitudinally extending strips 16a, 1Gb and 16C. The first strip 16a is adapted to be positioned between the flap 11 and the upper portion 13 of the cover. 'I'he second strip 1Gb overlies the iiap 11 and the third strip 16C extends under the lower portion 14 of the cover to form a binding margin to receive one or more fasteners 17. The fasteners are passed through spaced aligned holes or apertures 18 in the flap 11, the first cover strip 16a, the two portions 13, 14 of the cover, the sheet 15, and the third cover strip 16C. While the fasteners may be telescoping threaded members having enlarged heads or other like devices they are herein illustrated as a headed fastener, having an enlarged head 17a and spreadable legs 17h. The head 17a of the fastener is larger than the apertures 18 and lies between the flap 11 and the second strip 16h, as shown in FIG. 3, and is concealed thereby.

A back `cover 19 is provided for the binder and may be made of paper or plastic material. It is of substantially the same outer dimensions as the front cover and is provided at one edge with two longitudinal folds to provide strips 19a, 19b folded into superposed relation with one another and to overlie the back cover to provide the binding edge for the back cover.

The strips 19a, 19=b `are provided with apertures 20 adapted to be aligned with apertures 18 through which the fastening means extends and the legs 17b of the fasteners are bent out and disposed between the strip 19b and back cover and concealed thereby as shown in FIG. 3.

Thus, it will be seen that an eifective novel looseleaf lbinder can be produced which can be readily assembled, have concealed fasteners `and a protective front cover to hold a title page or the like.

In some instances it may be desired to provide a protective closure 20 for the binder to protect the same while it is being mailed or in storage or for other purposes. This is accomplished, according to the present invention, by providing one of the covers with van extension adapted to enclose the binder. In the illustrated form of the invention, the strips 19a, 19b are folded as shown in FIG. 6 and strip 1911 is provided with an extension 2.1 to project therefrom so as to be folded into overlapped relation with the front cover and to cooperate with the back cover to form a self-contained closure for the binder.

In the formV of the invention shown herein the extension 21 is formed integral withthe edge off back ap 19b and has substantially the same dimensions as the binder so as to completely overlie the Ifront cover Iwhen moved into superposed relation therewith. The extension has at each of the top and bottom edges thereotf three projecting tabs 22, 23, 24 `and at the side edge a tab 25 having end extensions 25a adapted to overlie the back cover when moved to the closed position shown in FIG. 4. In this position it will be noted that tabs 22, 24 on each end of the closure member are disposed under the back cover. The-closure ap- 25 on the edge is moved to over-lie the back cover with the extensions 25a projecting along the edge of the back cover and in position to be disposed between the center tabs 23 on the end and .the cover `as the tabs 23 are inserted through slits 26 formed in the back cover. This effectively locks the closure member and back cover together to provide 'a protective closure for Vthe binder. If desired, the connection of the closure member to the strip 19b at 27 can be formed with a line of Weakness or perforations so that the closure member can be removed when it is no longer desired to provide a protective closure for the binder.

Variations yand modifications may be made Iwithin the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A cover for a loose-leaf Ibinder comprising a transparent member having an edge folded back to form a flap extending over the surface of the member, a longitudinally extending cover strip having at least two longitudinal folds to form three connected strips with the first of sai-d strips being disposed between the flap and the surface of the member, the second strip overlying the ap and the third strip extending over the opposite surface of the member adjacent the edge thereof, and fastening means passing -through the flap, rst strip, the member and the third strip, said fastening means having an enlarged por tion disposed under the second strip to be concealed thereby.

2. A cover for a loose-leaf binder comprising a transparent member folded to provide upper and lower superposed portions adapted to receive a sheet Itherebetween and having the edge of the lower portion projecting and folded back to form a iiap extending over the edge of the upper portion to form `a binding margin for the member, a longitudinally extending cover strip having at least two longitudinal folds to form thr/ee connected strips with the first of said strips being disposed between the iiap and the upper portion, the second strip overlying the iiap and the third strip extending under the edge of the lower portion in the binding margin, and fastening means passing through the flap, first strip, upper and lower portions of the member and the third strip, said fastening means having an enlarged portion disposed below the second strip to be concealed thereby.

3. A loose-leaf binder including a -front cover cornprising a transparent member having the edge folded back to form `a ap extending over the edge of the upper surface of the member to form `a binding margin for the member; a longitudinally extending cover strip having at least two longitudinal folds 4to form three connected strips with the first of said strips being disposed 4between the flap and the upper surface of the member, the second strip overlying the tiap and the third strip extending under the edge of the member in the binding margin; a back cover comprising a cover portion underlying the front cover and having a pair of longitudinal folds along one edge to form a plurality of superposed integral 'back strips adapted to overlie-the cover portion; and fastening means passing through the flap, first strip, upper and lower prtions and third strip and through the pair of back strips to interlock therewith, said fastening means having enlarged portions disposed below the second strip and between the back strips and cover portion of the back cover to be concealed thereby.

4. A loose-leaf binder including a lfront cover cornprising a transparent member folded to provide upper and lower superposed portions `adapted to receive a sheet therebetween 4and having the edge of the lower portion projecting and folded back to form a flap extending over the edge of the upper portion to form a binding margin for the member; a longitudinally extending cover strip having at least two longitudinal folds to form three connected strips with the first of said strips being disposed between the ap and the upper portion, the second strip overlying the flap and the third strip extending under the edge of the lower portion in the binding margin; a back cover comprising a cover portion underlying the front cover and having a pair of longitudinal folds along one edge to -form a plurality of superposed integral back strips adapted to overlie the cover portion; and releasable fastening means passing through the flap, first strip, upper and lower portions and third strip and through `the pair of back strips to interlock therewith, said fastening means having enlarged portions disposed below the second strip and between the back strips and cover portion of the back cover to be concealed thereby.

5. A loose-leaf binder including a front cover comprising a transparent member lfolded to provide upper and lower superposed portions adapted to receive a sheet therebetween and having the edge of the lower portion projecting and folded back to form `a flap extending over the edge of the upper portion to form a binding margin for -the member; a longitudinally extending cover strip having at least two longitudinal folds to form three connected strips with the first of said strips being disposed between `the flap and the upper portion, the second strip overlying the ap and the third strip extending under the edge of the lower portion in the binding margin; a back cover comprising a cover portion underlying the -front cover and having a pair of longitudinal folds along one edge to lform a plurality of supenposed integral back strips adapted to overlie the cover portion; releasable fastening means passing through the ilap, iirst strip, upper and lower portions and third strip and through the pair of back strips to interlock therewith, said fastening means having enlarged portions disposed below the second strip and between the back strips and cover portion of the back cover to be concealed thereby; and a closure member Connected to the binding margin to project therefrom and be folded over said front cover and having means to interlock with said back cover to form a protective closure for the binder.

6. A loose-leaf binder including a front cover cornprising a transparent member having the edge folded back to form a flap extending over the edge of the upper surface of the member to form a binding margin for the member; a longitudinally extending cover strip having at least two longitudinal folds to form three connected strips with the first of said strips being disposed between the ap and the upper surface of the member, the second strip overlying the flap and the third strip extending under the edge of the member in the binding margin; a back cover comprising a cover portion underlying the front cover and having a pair of longitudinal folds along one edge to form a plurality of superposed integral back strips adapted to overlie the cover portion; fastening means passing through the ap, first strip, ripper and lower portions and third strip and through the pair of back strips to interlock therewith, said fastening means having enlarged portions disposed below the second strip and between the back strips and cover portion of the back cover to be concealed thereby; and a closure member integral with one of said back strips and adapted to be folded over said front cover and having means on at least one of the edges thereof interconnecting with said back cover portion to form a protective closure for said binder.

7. A loose-leaf binder including a front cover comprising a transparent member having the edge folded back to form a flap extending over the edge of the upper surface of the member to form a binding margin for the member; a longitudinally extending cover strip having at least two longitudinal folds to form three connected strips with the first of said strips being disposed between the iiap and the upper surface of the member, the second strip overlying the flap and the third strip extending under the edge of the member in the binding margin; a back cover comprising a cover portion underlying the front cover and having a pair of longitudinal folds along one edge to form a plurality of superposed integral back strips adapted to overlie the cover portion; fastening means passing through the flap, first strip, upper and lower portions and third strip and through the pair of back strips to interlock therewith, said fastening means having enlarged portions disposed below the second strip and between the back strips and cover portion of the hack cover to be concealed thereby; and a closure member integral with one of said back strips and adapted to be foided over said front cover and having means on at least one of the edges thereof interconnecting with said back cover portion to form a protective closure for said binder, said closure member being connected to said back strips by a frangible connection whereby said closure member may be readily removed.

8. A loose-leaf binder including a front cover cornprising a transparent member folded to provide upper and lower superposed portions adapted to receive a sheet therebetween and having the edge of the lower portion projecting and folded back to form a flap extending over the edge of the upper portion to form a binding margin for the member; a longitudinally extending cover strip having at least two longitudinal folds to form three connected strips with the first of said strips being disposed between the flap and the upper portion, the second strip overlying the flap and the third strip extending under the edge of the lower portion in the lbinding margin; a back cover comprising a cover portion underlying the front cover and having a pair 'of longitudinal folds along one edge -to form a plurality of superposed integral `back strips adapted to overlie the cover portion; fastening means passing through the flap, rst strip, upper and lower portions and third strip and through the pair of back strips to interlock t-herewith, said fastening means having enlarged portions disposed below the second strip and between the back strips and cover portion of the back cover to be concealed thereby; and a closure member integral with one of said back strips and adapted to be folded over said front cover and having means on at least one of the edges thereof interconnecting with said back cover portion to form ya protective closure for said binder.

9. In a loose-leaf binder having a front cover and a back cover and fasteners extending between the covers for interconnecting said covers and removably mounting binder leaves therebetween, the improvement wherein one of said covers has an integral extension of a size at least equal to the other cover and being foldable into overlying enclosing relation with the other cover, said extension having means interlocking with means on the cover connected thereto when said extension is in overlying relation with said other `cover and forming a protective closure lfor said binder, and means between the cover and extension enabling said extension to be readily removed from said cover whereby the binder including the front and back cover remains.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,106,058 Rand Aug, 4, 1914 1,819,937 Williams Aug. 18, 1931 1,922,213 Middleton Aug. 15, 1933 2,537,135 Hempel Jan. 9, 1951 2,759,658 Sawdon Aug. 2l, 1956 

